Riding for the Disabled Equestrian Centre Opening

Thursday 11 March 2004

Events like this are the building blocks of a truly civilised city. It's easy to dismiss ideas like inclusion unless you happen to be one of the excluded.

In my experience society adds up to just two groups, the makers and the breakers. The breakers get the headlines while the makers make it all work. There has been some great making here.

I would like to salute the efforts of the RDA fundraising committee and those who have responded so well to them.

I've been asked to say a few words on the benefit to the community from this new facility. I'll respond with a question which is this: “How do you put a price on an experience like this for someone who is disabled”? You can't. Neither should we even try.

There are times when we should all just do the right thing. It has been done here. The benefit to everyone is going to be enormous. To riders, their families and to the wider community that has helped make this possible.